The 26th Annual Baltimore Playwright's Festival: A Review

With the final performance of Save Me last Sunday, the 26th Annual Baltimore Playwrights Festival came to a close.  And as any such festival might, the entire event held a wide range of talent, both in terms of the playwrights and the staging of these new plays.  There is a ceremony to be held on September 17th at the Chesapeake Arts Center, where playwrights awards are given for first through third place (including a modest monetary prize), as well as prizes for production.  As might be expected, the subject matter (and quality) of the scripts was wide-ranging, though no play was without its points to applaud.  In fact, there is much to celebrate this year, be it a very first play by a playwright, a personal success after years of working on just one play, or one of several outstanding performances and directorial successes. 

For this reviewer, elements of each play represented what is best about local theatre.  Here, in the order of their presentation are some final thoughts on each.  

Touch of Spring by Ben Logan, presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre.

Rating:  ◊ 1/2 out of five.

+ A nice first play by Logan.  His devices might have worn thin, but the ideas were solid and heartfelt.

+ Actress Jaye Nicole (top, right) has a natural, easy rapport with audiences.

The Blessed Mothers of War by Ty DeMartino, presented by Theatrical Mining Company.

Rating:  ◊◊ 1/2 out of five.

+ A very topical play, especially powerful as it showed how easy public opinion, especially about war, can change in an instant.

+ The first play by this group, which takes previously rejected scripts and workshops them and readies them for performance.

+ Peggy Dorsey (left) and Peter Kendall (right)gave powerhouse performances.  Kendall was particularly mesmerizing.

  Barbie: A Doll Her by Terry Kenney, presented by Uncommon Voices.

Rating:  ◊◊◊ 1/2 out of five.

+ An excellent example of a skewed point of view play with a concept that never wears thin.

+ Jane Steffen (far left), in multiple roles, is superb, and Nicko Libowitz (far right) is charming as Ken, Barbie's beau.

+ Lead actress Alex Hewett (center left) nails the sensibility and physicality of a Barbie come to life, never resorting to shtick or cliche.

Perpendicular by Joe Dennison, presented by Vagabond Players.

Rating:  ◊◊◊ 1/2 out of five.

+ Provides an interesting and humorous twist on a "play about marriage."

+ Excellent chemistry between all of the cast members.

+ KC O'Connor (top left and bottom left) was memorable in two vastly different supporting roles.

+Mike Martin (bottom center left) and Belinda Panelo (bottom center right) made us care, and laugh, at a couple in serious trouble.

 

 CYA by Kimberley Lynne, presented by Mobtown Players

Rating:  ◊ 1/2 out of five.

+Realistic, well-paced direction by Carlos del Valle.

+Angie McNulty's setting was realistic and fit the tiny Mobtown space like a glove.

+Michael Leicht, Eileen Cuff and Janise Whelan (front row) stood out in an ensemble cast, making the most of their roles.

Last Night at the Owl Bar by Mark Scharf, presented by Chesapeake Arts Center.

Rating:  ◊◊◊ out of five.

+Featured a local landmark setting, and superb use of the "alternate reality" device.

+Supporting players Mike Ware (far left) and Tiffany James (second from right)proved their worth in versatility and quality performances.

Almost Vermilion by Sonja Kinzer, presented by Theatrical Mining Company.

Rating:  ◊◊◊◊◊ out of five.

+An excellent, dramatic script that was well-structured, real and genuine.

+Roy Hammond's set was a study in both economy and sharp detail.

+The entire company had a palpable chemistry and tension.

+Jan-David Souter, in a small, but pivotal role, made an excellent local stage debut.

+Richard Peck, Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff and Robyn A. Cole (seated)provided the backbone and tragedy of this family drama.  The three were compelling and complex.

Save Me by Stephanie Zadravec, presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre.

Rating:  ◊◊◊◊ out of five.

+The script did a nice job of showing all sides to a complicated argument between science and religion.

+Ian Belknap's tight, thoughtful direction raised the level of this play.

+Chris Graybill's performance proves that all gay characters in plays don't have to be shrill drama queens to be fabulous.

Rudy Doo by George Tilson, presented by Spotlighters Theatre.

Rating:  ◊◊◊◊◊ out of five.

+A play that celebrates theatre.  It is witty, meaningful and written with the theatre, not movies or TV in mind.

+Jayme Kilborn's highly theatrical direction kept this rocket moving and balanced.

+Natalie Chavez Leimkuhler was a chameleon in several roles, many changed without ever leaving sight of the audience.

+Shane Logue (seated) as a Cerebral Palsey victim was anything but.  He was a hero, full of life, ideas and had a heartbreaking way about him.

If I had to pick… 

Best Play:

• Rudy Doo by George Tilson
• Almost Vermilion by Sonja Kinzer
• Barbie: A Doll Her by Terry Kenney

Best Production:

• Almost Vermilion, presented by Theatrical Mining Company
• Rudy Doo, presented by Spotlighters
• Save Me, presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre

Plus… 

Best Direction:

• Jayme Kilburn, Rudy Doo
• Ian Belknap, Save Me
• Susan McCarty, Perpendicular

Best Actor:

• Shane Logue, Rudy Doo
• Peter Kendall, Blessed Mothers of War
• Robyn A. Cole, Almost Vermilion

Best Actress:

• Peggy Dorsey, Blessed Mothers of War
• Alex Hewett, Barbie: A Doll Her
• Jessyca Henderson, Rudy Doo

Best Supporting Actor:

• Jan-David Souter, Almost Vermilion
• Nick Libowitz, Barbie: A Doll Her
• Mike Ware, Last Night at the Owl Bar

Best Supporting Actress:

• Jane Steffen, Barbie: A Doll Her
• Natalie Chavez Leimkuhler, Rudy Doo
• KC O'Connor, Perpendicular

Best Set Design: Roy Hammond, Almost Vermilion

Best Lighting: Alexandra Pappas, Save Me

In the end, though, all of these productions are winners.  These aspiring and accomplished playwrights have done what many people only dream about.  The Baltimore Playwrights Festival brings together dozens of local artists to share a summer and their passion for the art of theatre.  All of us win when that happens.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this year's festival.  I am looking forward to next year's already!

PHOTOS: Courtesy of each production.

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